Individual and game scoring mechanism for bridge



Dec. 30, 1969 w`. H. LAUBACH INDIVIDUAL AND GAM SCORING MECHANISM FOR BRIDGE Filed July 24, 1967 2 Sheets-Sheet l /NVENTOR WINTON H- LAUBACH BY Dec. 3o. 1969 w. H. LA'UBACH INDIVIDUAL ANDGAME SCORING MECHANISM FOR BRIDGE A 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 F1166 July 24, 1967 mo o mmnnmhn SI-Ollmwun RWE E00 EIMO M wmwwm www CT if* IN 00 m .I o n awww? D E DD DU- D MEWBDE S BOUE E TUDmL R MOE B DRTOIU .sm E.:

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D mu" u H m V DOUBLED CONTRACT- 4 TRuMP HoNoRs- |ob- 4Aces- IN NT-lso RE Fon oNE sm 2 GAME RUBBER-700 3 GAME RUBBER-500' 5 TRUMP HONORSI5 GAME IN UNFINISHED x FIRST TRICK IN RUBBER'BOO'. PART SC I NT IS SCORED 40,80,|60 NOT 30, 60, |20.

/NVENTOR wuNToN H. LAUBACH BY y TTQRNEY United States Patent O U.S. Cl. 273-148 6 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A mechanism providing index markers for displaying the current status of bridge games and further incorporating counter mechanisms for keeping current and cumulative scores for individual and/or partner players wherein a separate counter for an individual player may be selectively interchanged to reflect partnership changes so that each player may accumulate an individual score. A lock is used on the individual counters to prevent changes in the score indication except when the counters are installed in proper operative position.

Background of the invention The present device is provided to facilitate the scoring of bridge games and to better keep track of individual and partner scores throughout a round of play or tournament. Others have previously provided various types of game scoring devices, boards and counters which were intended to facilitate the tabulation of game scores and the status of game operations. In the use of most prior devices, it has still been necessary to keep a written tabulation or memorandum of completed games, rubbers or sets so that accumulative partnership or individual player scores could be calculated. The present invention provides improvements over the prior art through elimination of the necessity for eXtra tabulating eiforts.

Summary of the invention Briefly stated, the present invention provides a mechanism which may be conveniently positioned on and attached to a game table in a position for convenient viewing by players or other interested in the status and progress of game operations. The device has a plurality of display surfaces of which game and scoring factors may be displayed as well as index markers for the display of game status items. The device further includes of plurality of counters for the tabulation and display of progressive game scores. The game status markers may be moved by the scorekeeper to reflect the present status of the game, and means is provided for the addition or subtraction of game scores by manipulation of said counters. The counters show a running tabulation of partner scores during progress of the game. In one embodiment of the invention a change in partner scores causes a corresponding change in the total score indicated on individual scoring counters for each player of the partnership. In such embodiment provision is made for the selective removal of the individual scoring mechanisms and the repositioning thereof when changes are made in partnership alignments or when individual players move to other game tables. An individual total score is progressively tabulated as the individual counter is moved from one device to another. A lock element is provided to prevent the introduction of addition scores to individual counters when the counters are removed from the device.

Brief description of the drawings FIG. 1 is a front elevation in partial section with some parts shown in hidden outline,

3,486,754 Patented Dec. 30, 1969 ICC FIG. 2 is a side elevation taken along the line 2-2 of FIG. 1 to show individual counters in installed and in non-engaged positions,

FIG. 3 is a top plan view of the device of FIG. 1 shown in partial broken section, and

FIG. 4 is a partial front elevation illustrating a game data display.

Description of the preferred embodiment A preferred embodiment of the invention is shown in the accompanying igures with the general overall configuration being best illustrated in FIG. l. In this iigure it will be seen that the scoring mechanism is presented in an overall box like configuration in which a box structure 11 provides support for a status board 12 positioned at a reclining angle above the top display surface 13 of the box 11. Since it is intended that the scoring mechanism will be positioned on the game table so that all game participants can easily see the index markings used, it is desirable to provide attaching means for holding the scoring mechanism in position on the table. FIGS. 1 and 3 show the use of clamp elements 14 which are mounted on slide bars 16 for reciprocal and rotating movement in the ferrules 17. With this arrangement the clamps 14 may be moved to alternate positions above a supporting game table 18 or alternately to an engaged position beneath the top of table 18. The slide bars may be held in either position or in other adjusted positions by tightening the holding screws 19. When the clamps are properly adjusted, the box structure 11 and its associated display surfaces will be held firmly on the game table so that one hand adjustment or movement of game status indicators and counters is possible.

In general the status indicators are presented on the status board 12. A pair of slots 21 are cut in the board 12 so that pointers 22 may be moved therealong. The top slot 21 is identified with one set of partner players, while the lower slot is identied with the opposition partners. The pointers 22 may be moved along the slots to indicate the present status of certain game operations. The horizontal movement of the pointers 22 is facilitated through provision of an undercut depression 23 on the back side of the board 12 which closely engages a retainer button segment 24 of the pointer mechanisms 22. With this arrangement a player positioned close to the scoring mechanism can touch either the front or rear portions of the pointer 22 to move the pointer along its associated slot 21. The pointers in the top and bottom slots can, of course, be moved independently. The moving pointers on the status board can be used to indicate: A present score for the various partner players, whether or not the partnership is vulnerable, and the actual contract bid for the game then being played. Another pointer may be used to show which player will deal the next game. All of the game status displays will be of interest to those involved in a particular game. The status information presented can also be observed by others who are not `currently playing in the particular game. For outside observers, kibitzers or an instructor the game status board can provide answers to the usual questions necessary to an understanding of current game operations without the necessity of disturbing the players.

In addition to the information provided by the status board 12, a further display panel is provided on the box 11. In the particular embodiment illustrated, the front side or panel 25 of the box 11 provides a display surface that may be seen by all of the players. Various types of useful information concerning bid or scoring data or game rules may be presented on such display surface. A typical presentation related primarily to scoring is set forth in FIG. 4 as an illustration of the display materials presented on the front display panel 25.

A third display surface is provided by the box 11. The top display surface 13 is used to present a game or cumulative score for viewing by the players and observers. In order to show the point scores and to keep the score current, the present invention provides counter mechanisms 32 that may be positioned within the box 11 so that the current score can be observed through the top display surface 13 of the box 11. The display of current totals can either be made through openings 30 in the top surface 13 exposing counter index markings or the top surface can be of a translucent material so that the counter mechanism can be observed directly through the top display surface 13.

Various types of counter mechanisms may be used in satisfaction of the present requirements. A counter assembly using a plurality of interconnected counter wheels is preferred. The counters may have separate counter wheels for the indication of the cumulative score in units, tens, hundreds and thousands. A three-wheel counter for indicating tens, hundreds and thousands is well suited to the tabulation of bridge scores. The counters used in the present embodiment are of the 10, 100 and 1000 type with separate counters 32 being provided for the separate partnerships or even for individual players.

Though the particular operation of the counter mechanism is not of primary concern in connection with the present invention since various types of counter mechanisms can be used, the operation of a typical counter 32 is shown in FIGS. l and 2. The main counter wheels inclusive of the l0, the 100 and the 1000 wheel are rotatably mounted on a base 33. An escapement mechanism 34 is disposed between the and 100 wheels and between the 100 and 1000 wheels (not shown). The escapements provide a plurality of pins 36 which extend upwardly to engage with driving teeth on the underside of the higher value wheels. A single lobe 37 is provided on the lower value wheels (here disposed at the number 7 position) which will engage one of the pins 36 to move the escapement one notch for each full rotation of a lower value wheel. With this arrangement it will take 100 rotations of the l0 wheel or 10 rotations of the 100 wheel to cause one rotation of the 1000 wheel. Since bridge scoring is counted in tens and hundreds, it is desirable to be able to provide independent input to at least the l0 and 100 wheels. The counters to be used should be of a design to permit independent input movement of the 100 wheel Without causing any movement or a corresponding rotation of the l0 wheel. For the counters shown the 100 wheel can be independently moved if the lobe 37 is away from contacting position with the pins 36. Provision is made for stopping the lobe 37 away from such contacting position.

In order to hold the counters 32 in the box 11, the box is divided by lioor elements 26 and upright partitions 27 into a plurality of compartments 28, 29, 30 and 31. Each of the compartments is of a size and shape to receive and hold an individual counter mechanism 32 and its separate base 33. Optionally the scoring mechanism may be provided with two, four or six compartments depending upon the type of scoring that is to be maintained. Where partners scores only are required, it would only be necessary to provide counters 32 in the top compartments 28 and 29. If individual scores are required, counters should be provided in at least the four compartments 28-31. For usual contract bridge play an individual score tabulation is desirable due to the rotation of players and partners from one table to another. If it is desirable to display the current status of game operations at a particular table and also to provide cumulative individual scores for the separate players, a six compartment and six counter combination may be required. In such combination the top counters would be reset to zero after each rubber of bridge or whenever the partnership combination at the particular table is changed. Individual counters would still then be provided for each of the .4 separate players which could show cumulative and progressive totals for each of the players. Where a four counter system is used with each of the four counters being identified with a separate player, the status of the individual games can still be determined if a notation is made of the total score entered on the counters disposed in the compartments 28 and 29 when the game is started.

Since the counters are disposed in compartments in the box 11, some means must be provided for rotating the counters. Control knobs 38 and 39 are typically connected by the shafts 41 to drive gears 42 which may be moved into meshing engagement with the gear teeth 43 on the counter wheels 10 and 100. The shafts and control knobs are spring loaded by the springs 44 so that the knobs are normally held out of contact with the counter wheels. When a score is to be inserted, the knob 38 or 39 is depressed to bring the gear elements into contacting relationship so that the counters may then be rotated by rotating the control knobs 38 or 39.

In order to prevent inadvertent rotation of the knobs, a control spring y46 is provided within the compartments 28 and 29 of the box 11. The control spring 46 is of a leaf type having ends 47 for mating engagement with the teeth of the gear 42. With the arrangement illustrated the rotation of the gear 42 a distance of two gear teeth will cause rotation of the 10 wheel one index number. Every other tooth on gear 42 is occluded by a tab 48. This tab 48 interferes with the end 47 of the leaf spring 46 in such manner that the spring does not engage between the occluded gear teeth. This spring end 47 will, however, engage in the slot 49 between alternate gear teeth. Accordingly, a click will be experienced each time a value of 10 is being introduced into the l0 wheel or a value of is added to the 100 wheel. When the proper score has been introduced, the leaf spring end to slot engagement 47-49 will tend to hold the wheels in their proper position. As long as the gears `42 are in a clickstopped position, the lobe 37 will not be in an interfering position with respect to the escapement pins 36. The combination, inclusive of the occluding tabs 48, the leaf spring ends 47, the slots 49 and the teeth of gears 42 and 43, provide indexing alignment to assure the desirable independent movement of the l0 and 100 wheels.

When more than two counters are to be used, the shaft 41 is extended into lower compartments 30 and 31 where second gear Wheels 42L are disposed. These gear wheels will be brought into simultaneous engagement with the Wheels of the counter Whenever the control knobs 38 and 39 are depressed. The top control spring to gear wheel 42 combination will, of course, prevent rotation of the lower gear wheels 42L except when a score is being added to the top counter system. Any score added to the top counters will simultaneously be added to the bottom counters. Accordingly, if the individual counters for a partnership are placed in the compartments 28 and 30 while the individual counters for the opposition partners are placed in the compartments 29 and 31, the devices can be used to accumulate individual scores. During play the top counters can be observed through the top display surface 13 or through the openings 30 so that players and outside observers can at all times see the total score accumulated. If a record is kept of the score indicated on the top counters before each game is started, the separate game scores will be available. If it is desirable to have a direct reading for current game scores, two additional compartments and two additional counters can be provided. With this arrangement the top counters can be reset to zero after each game without disturbing the cumulative scores shown on the individual counters disposed below. Where a third vertically disposed compartment is provided, the shaft 41 will be extended, and an extra gear set, such as the gears 42, will be provided on the shaft `for mating engagement with the lowest counter assembly.

As previously indicated, the individual counters 32 should be removable. Since the spring 44 normally holds the gears 42 out of contact with the counter assemblies, the counter bases 33 and counters 32 may be moved reciprocally in and out of the respective storage compartments. FIG. 2 illustrates a top counter 32 operatively positioned in the top compartment 28 and a separate individual counter assembly 32 being inserted in the lower compartment 30. Guide blocks 51 are Provided in the compartments to closely engage the bases 33 t0 assure proper positioning of the counters. When in proper position, the gea-rs 42 will engage the gear teeth 43 when the knobs 3S and 39 are depressed.

In contract bridge or in various types of bridge contests or tournament play, partners are often moved from one table to another. In other types of play, individual players may be moved from one position to another as partners are interchanged or as the players are moved progressively to other tables. If each player has an individual counter, an individual total score can be derived through use of this system. Each player would carry his individual counter from place to place, and the location of the counters would be changed in separate scoring device boxes in accordance with changes in the players partnership alignment.

When the counters are removed from the compartments, the wheels could normally be repositioned by direct nger manipulation of the wheels themselves. This movement is undesirable in the present instance, since scoring values should only be added or subtracted in accordance with game operations. A lock mechanism is provided to avoid any changes in scoring indications except when the counters 32 are disposed in the scoring devices. A lock bar 52 is provided for each of the counters 32. This lock bar is positioned above the Wheels 10, 100 and 1000 and stop elements 53 on the bottom surface of the bars 52 `are disposed to engage the gear teeth 43 of the Wheels. A spring 54 urges the stop elements 53 toward engagement with the gear teeth 43. When the counters are removed from the boxes 11, the stops 53 will be engaged, and it will be impossible to rotate the counter wheels. It is intended that a lock and key com bination is to be provided in the boxes 11 so that the stops 53 will be out of contact with the wheels when the counters 32 are installed. In the present embodiment this combination includes the key element S6 and a lock receptacle 57 in the lock bar 52. When the counters are properly positioned in the compartments, the key 56 will mate in the lock receptacle 57 to displace the bar 52 and the stop elements 53. If the keys and receptacles are of the distinctive shape, movement of the lock bar 52 can be prevented except when a prope-r key is inserted. This feature will prevent inadvertent changes on the individual scoring counters when they are removed from the boxes 11, or it can prevent purposeful tampering with the scoring indicators.

I claim:

1. A device for the tabulation and display of bridge scores comprising a support structure, at least one separate base element for selective engagement in said support structure, a counter mechanism disposed on said separate base element for indicating points scored by a player, and input means on said support structure for engaging said counter mechanism when the base element and counter mechanism is engaged in said support structure for selectively adding and subtracting bridge score values to said counter mechanism, said base element and its associated counter mechanism being removeable from said support structure in assembled relationship whereby the score values accumulated thereon are undisturbed.

2. Structure as set forth in claim 1 wherein rotary counter mechanisms are provided.

3. Structure as set forth in claim 2 wherein said counter mechanisms include separate counter wheel elements for the tabulation of bridge scores in tens and hundreds.

4. Structure as set forth in claim 1 wherein separate counter mechanisms are provided for each individual player.

5. Structure as set forth in claim 4 wherein a single input means on said support structure is interconnectable to the counter mechanisms for two individual partnership players whereby identical changes in score are registered on the counter mechanisms for each partner player'.

6. Structure as set forth in claim 1 and further cornprising a lock to prevent changes in the scoring indication of said counter mechanism when the separate base element and counter mechanism is removed from the support structure.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,351,971 9/1920 Steigerwald 273-148 2,052,843 9/1936 Priestman et al. 2,302,989 11/1942 Zulcar 23S-110 2,986,330 5/1961 Benditt 116-135 X ANTON O. OECHSLE, Primary Examiner U.S. Cl. XR. 23S- 114 

